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Proliferation of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrobaculum islandicum by cell fission

Seiji Sonobe1, Kazue Aoyama, Chihiro Suzuki

  • 1Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Kamigori, Hyogo, Japan.

Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme Conditions
|June 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pyrobaculum islandicum, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, primarily reproduces through binary fission with septum formation. Previously observed "long cells" are actually multiple cylindrical cells aligned together.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Archaea Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Pyrobaculum islandicum is a hyperthermophilic archaeon.
  • Previous studies suggested multiplication by constriction, budding, or branching due to lack of observed septa via light microscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and clarify the primary mode of cell proliferation in Pyrobaculum islandicum.
  • To resolve discrepancies regarding cell division mechanisms in this hyperthermophilic archaeon.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
  • Employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Conducted light microscopy with dark-field image analysis.

Main Results:

  • Observed binary fission involving septum formation as the principal mode of proliferation.
  • Demonstrated that previously reported "long cells" are aggregates of multiple cylindrical cells aligned in tandem.
  • Provided high-resolution imaging evidence contradicting earlier hypotheses.

Conclusions:

  • Binary fission via septum formation is the predominant method of Pyrobaculum islandicum reproduction.
  • Revises the understanding of cell division in hyperthermophilic archaea.
  • Clarifies the morphology of P. islandicum under various conditions.

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